IF YOU GO ...
Hotel Alte Canzley Schlossplatz 3-5, Wittenberg
alte-canzley.com/en
Wake up in front of the Castle
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Church, where Luther nailed his 95 theses. This lovely four-star hotel is housed in a 14th-century building. The eight rooms come with a kitchenette. Rates start at $158.
Ringhotel Schwarzer Baer Schlossstrasse 2, Wittenberg
schwarzer-baer-wittenberg.de
It doesn’t get more central than
■ this family-run inn. There are singles, doubles and even “Luther Rooms” where you can sleep with the Reformer’s pudgy face above your bed. Rates start at $125.
WHERE TO EAT:
Brauhaus Wittenberg Markt 6, Wittenberg brauhaus-wittenberg.de
This three-storey brewery sits in a ■ stunning 16th-century courtyard just off the main drag and serves hearty German fare, as well as “Luther rolls” with beef, onions, gravy and dumplings. Entrees run from about $11 to $17.
Wittenberger Kartoffelhaus Zum Schwarzen Baer Schlossstrasse 2, Wittenberg
schwarzer-baer-wittenberg.de
Luther is rumoured to have frequently
■ imbibed (and often to have run out on the tab) at this restaurant and bar below the Ringhotel Schwarzer Baer. Today, waitresses in maidens’ outfits from the 16th century serve more than 60 types of potato dishes, including deermeat stew with spaetzle potato noodles. Entrees run from $10 to $18.
WHAT TO DO:
Castle Church Schlossplatz 1, Wittenberg lutherstadt-wittenberg.de/en/ culture/unesco-weltkulturerbe/ schlosskirche
This is where Martin Luther nailed ■ his theses to the door. The original wood door was destroyed by a fire in 1760 and has been replaced by bronze doors with his theses inscribed in Latin. Luther and fellow reformer Philipp Melanchthon are buried inside just under the pulpits. Free admission.
City Church of St. Mary Judenstrasse 35, Wittenberg
luther2017.de/en/experience/ places/city-church-wittenberg
Often called the “Mother Church
■ of the Reformation,” this is the oldest building in town and is where Luther gave more than 2,000 sermons. Don’t miss Lucas Cranach’s four-panelled altarpiece depicting Luther, Melanchthon and the painter himself in biblical contexts. Free admission with donation suggested.
Lutherhaus Collegianstrasse 54, Wittenberg
martinluther.de/de/ besuch/ museen/ lutherhaus
Housed in a former Augustinian
■ monastery and reopened in March after a six-month renovation, Luther’s former home is now the world’s largest Reformation museum and a must-see site for visitors. See where Luther wrote sermons and prepared his theses, as well as Cranach’s wood-panelled painting of the Ten Commandments and an original Luther bible. Regular admission is about $9; reduced for students and those with disabilities to about $7.
Asisi Panorama Lutherstrasse 42, Wittenberg
asisi.de/panoramas/ luther-1517. html
Built inside a towering rotunda last ■ year, Yadegar Asisi’s huge panoramic illustration of life in 16thcentury Wittenberg is a 360-degree, cinematic experience and a great primer for anyone wishing to learn about the events that led to the Reformation.
INFORMATION:
These websites are packed with historical information, itineraries and helpful tidbits to help you plan your trip to Wittenberg and the other towns in Germany celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation: visit-luther.com, r2017.org germany.travel/en/specials/ luther/ luther.html